Meet Maleta

Born into a military family, Maleta's early years provided her with the essentials, but her life took a turn as abuse shattered her world. Silenced by fear, she endured years of unimaginable pain and suffering in her formative years. As she ventured into adulthood, she sought solace in romantic relationships, but they did not offer the healing she needed. Vulnerable, aching for love and security, she found herself gripped by the clutches of addiction, a descent that led her to a life on the streets, grappling with mental and emotional turmoil. Brushing shoulders with the law and spending time behind bars, Maleta was at a crossroads when the opportunity for rehabilitation arose.

It was at rehab where she encountered the first genuine hand to help her heal the scars of her past. Armed with newfound determination, Maleta transitioned to a halfway house in Wilmington, NC, leading her to StepUp Wilmington. Cognizant of her criminal record, she approached our doors with skepticism, expecting just another charitable handout. Within a few days, she realized the staff and volunteers didn’t see her as a charity case but a valuable person of great worth. Her transformation had begun, and Maleta was poised to conquer the world with a renewed outlook.

Today, Maleta has a beautiful one year-old son, a steady job, two years of sobriety and is actively enrolled at Cape Fear Community College pursuing her Associates degree.